Doctor not to blame for WA nurse's death

The rural doctor who treated a West Australian nurse for neck pain before she was discharged from hospital cannot be blamed for her death, a coroner has found.

Tamika Patricia Carol Ullrich died suddenly from a rare condition of chronic hydrocephalus, which made her susceptible to instability of her cardio-respiratory system, following a brief admission to the emergency department at Northam Hospital in December 2012.

Coroner Barry King found Ms Ullrich died from natural causes.

"The deceased experienced a rise in her intracranial pressure, probably from vomiting due to pain associated with neck pain and headache, which led to her death from cardio-respiratory failure," he said.

Ms Ullrich initially visited a GP and was referred to a physiotherapist, but returned the next day and was given anti-inflammatory medication.

The following day, Ms Ullrich visited the Northam emergency department and was seen by a nurse, then doctor Anthony Boyd prescribed an anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant without thoroughly examining her himself.

Ms Ullrich's mother cared for her that night at home while she repeatedly vomited, and found the 23-year-old dead at 6am the next morning.

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"However, it is clear in my view that the care the deceased received at the hospital was adequate given her presentation, and that her sudden and tragic death was not reasonably predictable," he said.

Mr King was satisfied that any justifiable criticisms of Dr Boyd's professional conduct related to procedural practices rather than to the treatment Ms Ullrich received.

"I am satisfied that the changes implemented to the ED since the deceased's death have rectified the structural and cultural deficiencies which developed when the situation at Northam Hospital changed from that of a quiet country hospital to that of a busy regional centre," he said.

Ms Ullrich was among five people in less than three years to die after being discharged from the regional hospital and the case was previously examined by chief medical officer Gary Geelhoed.

The Performance and Professional Standards Panel of the Medical Board of Australia determined Dr Boyd's behaviour was unsatisfactory, and conditions were imposed on his registration, so he retired.